2015-J1198
Sponsored By
(D, WF) Senate District
text
2015-J1198
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 19, 2015, as Cesar Chavez Day in the State of New York
WHEREAS, Our nation is a symbol of democracy, peace, freedom and justice
born out of the many men and women who have fought for and died to
preserve it; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2015, as Cesar Chavez
Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Cesar E. Chavez, of humble origins, and of Mexican parentage,
was born in Yuma, Arizona, on March 31, 1927, and was raised in the
midst of the farms which many Mexicans tilled and worked for in bringing
agricultural products to our tables; and
WHEREAS, On May 19, 1970, the California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)
reached an understanding to not form or attempt to form any agriculture
worker's union; CRLA recognized that its function was to serve the rural
poor, not as union organizers, advisors, or negotiators, but as a law
firm concerned with legal matters; and
WHEREAS, Therefore, with respect to those class matters involving farm
work employment, including wages and fringe benefits, pesticides,
discrimination against union workers, field conditions, working condi-
tions, farm pollution problems, water, farm labor contractors, green
card and illegal entrant, agriculture employers and agri-business, and
subsidies, CRLA agreed to consult before any action was taken; and
WHEREAS, Five years later, the California Agricultural Labor Relations
Act (CALRA), a landmark statute, enacted by the State of California,
became law on June 5, 1975, establishing collective bargaining for farm
workers in that state; this agreement was reached on May 19, 1975, on a
compromise bill; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez was known for his keen leadership style, his
non-violent stance, and his constant struggle to protect the rights of
farm workers in California and throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, Between 1952 and 1962, Cesar Chavez worked for the Community
Services Organization; when they refused to organize farm workers in
1962, he left and co-founded the United Farmers Union with Dolores Huer-
ta; the bylaws were approved by the AFL-CIO in 1966; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez represents, for many people, a humble role model
and at the same time, demonstrates powerful convictions; his boycotts of
grapes and other products raised consciousness about the life and strug-
gles of farm workers, their needs and desires for a quality of life and
education; and
WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez's motto, "Si Se Puede" translated "Yes We Can,"
is a reflection of this commitment; and
WHEREAS, Like Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez
believed in and carried out his struggle adhering to the principles of
non-violence; his many acts of protest and, particularly, fasting served
to unify the workers, alert America to the dangers of pesticides and
stimulate the conscience and support of many in our Nation; and
WHEREAS, On May 19, 2011, the United States Navy named a ship in memo-
ry of Mexican-American activist Cesar Chavez who served the United
States Navy from 1944-1946, after which he became a leader in the Ameri-
can Labor Movement and co-founded the National Farm Workers Association;
and
WHEREAS, The family of the State of New York commemorates and honors
Cesar Chavez as a champion of democracy and human rights; his legacy
remains in the hearts and minds of many, but not nearly as much as in
the workers and members of the United Farm Workers of America, which he
founded and has, since his death on April 23, 1993, grown from 20,000
members to approximately 27,000 members; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting that New York, with a history rich in campaigns
and battles for civil, labor and human rights, joins in honoring a great
leader -- Cesar E. Chavez; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2015, as Cesar
Chavez Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.
actions
-
25 / Mar / 2015
- REFERRED TO FINANCE
-
26 / Mar / 2015
- REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
-
26 / Mar / 2015
- ADOPTED
Resolution Details
- Law Section:
- Resolutions, Legislative
Find and Follow Issues
Explore IssuesComments
Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.
Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.
Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.